This review featured in:


 Steve Hahn: sh (CD, 48:05); DeeP Chocolate Productions DCP980502

	Landmark Chapman Stick work fills this release! Interesting, imaginative, introspective, 
engaging, and expertly crafted compositions are each executed with T. Levin, A. Johnson, G. 
Howard, and W. Leechford precision. The solo Stick can be and often becomes predictably 
repetitive and redundantly voiced, very quickly, if the Stickman isn't careful. It has wonderfully 
endless possibilities though in the right hands with the right vision. Hahn keeps you guessing and 
delighted with multifaceted Stick tricks.
	He can be a Michael Hedges or Will Ackerman one song, "The Swans At Coole",  and then a 
King Crimson Levin and Frippesque manic man on the next, "Ostinato". Even a crystal clear 
Stanley Jordan styling appears on "Suite Vignette". Hendrix would have enjoyed Hahn's 
overdriven, distortion-rich "Suite Intro". This was my favorite composition. It was a 5:12 mini-
journey to another dimension. The signature piece however is Hahn's six movement work, 
"Suite", which showcases his versatility. Hahn dubs in his fine trumpet skills as well on many 
tracks emulating that Mark Isham genius. He plays bass and guitar too. Matt Houston does great 
drums and percussion accentuating the highly percussive Stick sound.
	Aurally construct a Windham Hill release in your mind, say Isham's Vapor Drawings, 
augment it with, invigorate it with Hahn's Stick work. You have that perfect rainy-day, 
capuccino-in-tummy, laid-back, drivin' or dreamin' creation spinnin' 'round now. "Hey listen -- 
there's a rainbow inside." Excellent recording and production makes this sh . . . Recommended.	
~ John W. Patterson



Steve Hahn: Stickburst (CD, 53:25); DeeP Chocolate Productions SR930301

	Excellent jazzy Stick work here! Hahn surely pulls off that Chapman, Levin, Johnson, 
Howard, and Leechford precision. On this release, as on his sh release, Hahn keeps things lively 
and hopping with endless Stick finesse.
	You can hear Michael Hedges, Stanley Jordan, or Will Ackerman in his songs. Listen for 
Levin and Frippy moments. As on sh, Hahn dubs in his fine Mark Ishamic trumpet skills. Ernie 
Crews helps out on drums and percussion. Hahn tackles The Beatles' "Norwegian Wood", 
Gershwin's "Summertime", and even Weather Report's "Birdland" and "In a Silent Way". He 
nails 'em so deftly and nicely. You Gentle Giant fans will get off on his renditions of "Raconteur 
Troubador/Acquiring the Taste" and "Spooky Boogie".
	Hahn's originals like "Big Heavy Critter" are very strong and call to mind Levin meets Isham 
and "65 Years in the Business" is simply bliss-ville. Hahn winds things up with another original, 
"Funk Potpourri" that is excellent! I swear it was like Alex De Grassi doing Happy The Man! 
Strongly recommended. Let Hahn Stick it to ya.	~ John W. Patterson




Steve Hahn: Native American Music Meets The Chapman Stick (CD, 43:50); DeeP Chocolate 
Productions DCP980501

	Hahn plays Stick, DCP bass drum, (his own invention), and Native American drum. Matt 
Houston plays eleven various eclectic percussion items. On this recording Hahn has religiously 
followed the very structure of Amer-Indian song. As best as human possibly he translates the soul 
of this music into Stick. It makes for a different listening experience. Hahn and Houston cover 
nine songs.
	Frankly, I didn’t really get into this CD until the third song, “Song to Stop the Rain/”Pelican” 
Song” (medley), a Yurok/Tolowa source. Again I languished for several songs awaiting 
something stimulating. Around track seven, on “Rabbit Song”/”Love Song” (medley), another 
Yurok creation, I found something to groove to again. I suppose I really dig Yurok. I’m gonna 
have to look into this tribe’s music someday. Yuroks seemed to know how to skirt that certain 
inherent redundancy found in many Amer-Indian song structures. Don’t get me wrong here but I 
just don’t do the simplicity and repetition of such tribal songs. They make for interesting musical 
study and execution but for the average listener -- not all that enjoyable.
	The last piece, “Two-Step”, a Navajo item, was the only other track that intrigued me and 
took me places in its unique cyclical patterns. It was very Amer-Indian but had a certain boogie-
hop jazziness to it, in Hahn’s interpretation.
	I feel most folk will find this CD . . . ah, well . . . for Stick and Native American Indian music 
completists. Hahn is a great Stick player but the source material is so predictable it just doesn’t 
translate into aural interest.	~ John W. Patterson



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